Anne Arundel County is home to two of the top schools in the state for the past few years - Broadneck and Severna Park. The outputs from these two schools are enough to give Anne Arundel some power in the state, but add in the occasional stars from schools like South River, Meade and Arundel, the county championships are traditionally intense races, and always unpredictable. Three years ago the Broadneck and Severna Park girls teams both earned 33 points, with Severna Park edging a win because of their #6 runner. Two years ago Matthew Centrowitz (Broadneck) upset two-year county champion Will Eden (Annapolis) by 3 seconds, while sophomore Tait Woodward (Broadneck) surprised everyone by beating Marissa McPhail (Arundel) and then-freshman Liya Kasimova (Severna Park). Last year the Severna Park girls team ran for the lowest team average ever in the county at 26 points.
This year's county teams are closer together this year on the boys side as South River and Severna Park caught up to Broadneck. On the girls side South River has three girls to break up the powerhouse that is the No. 2 Severna Park girls.
The County Championship is this Friday at Arundel High School.
Girls
Individuals
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KELSEY HILL, Sophomore (Severna Park)
The phenom returns on Friday after a two-meet injury related hiatus, ready to grab her second county title.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #1
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LIYA KASIMOVA, Junior (Severna Park)
Possibly one of the most impressive athletes in the county, Kasimova is a veteran of 3rd place in these championships from the last two years. She is second only to Hill this year, at least in terms of talent. She has struggled with the strength of the South River duo, but is not likely to allow them to pass her again.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #2
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MARY FROMME, Sophomore (South River)
The athlete has reached new heights this season, thanks greatly to her new teammate Hillary Lee. Their defeat of Kasimova in the last 50 meters at Meade Autumn Classic is tribute to their toughness and ability to work well together.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #3
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HILLARY LEE, Freshman (South River)
The fastest freshman in the state has played see-saw with Fromme all season. Although it's Lee's turn to come out on top, the more experienced Fromme may be able to break the pattern. Untill Friday...
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #4
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TAIT WOODWARD, Senior (Broadneck)
The 2004 county champion has a somewhat effective pattern of coming into her own at the conclusion of the season. Neither her county win as a sophomore nor her 5th place finish in the 4A State Finals last year were at all expected. It's fair to say that she will probably have a break-out performance before the season ends, but it is impossible to determine when it will be.
COULD BE: ?? SHOULD BE: #5
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MIRANDA HEATER, Sophomore (South River)
The sophomore is one of the best #3 runners in the state, a factor that has worked to her advantage in most races this season. The two freshman behind have been approaching her all season - she will need power to maintain her lead on them Friday.
COULD BE: #5 SHOULD BE: #6
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JASMINE SAVAGE, Freshman (Meade)
Meade's new star has improved all year, and although she is ranked behind Severna Park's Dempsey, she is in the perfect position to steal the last all-county spot for herself.
COULD BE: #6 SHOULD BE: #7
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SADIE DEMPSEY, Freshman (Severna Park)
The dedicated runner has had a surprisingly consistent season for a freshman, but she will need to pull out something amazing to secure her first team all-county spot.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #8
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KELSEY KENEALY, Sophomore (Severna Park)
Kenealy launched onto the county scene last spring with her fourth place finish in the 1600m at the county final. She has worked with Dempsey all season as a crucial member of Severna Park's varsity squad.
COULD BE: #9 SHOULD BE: #9
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CAMILLA HENRICKSEN (Annapolis)
This runner came out of virtually nowhere to break 20:00 at Meade Autumn Classic, and should not be underestimated for these championships.
COULD BE: #8 SHOULD BE: #10
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HANNAH CARR, Sophomore (Severna Park)
All-County returnee has come a long way this season regaining the speed she had last fall. With a great race she could do amazing things, including making first team all county.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #11
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KATHLEEN BARRANCO, Sophomore (Severna Park)
Sophomore has improved all season just like Carr, although she is a bit more consistent in her racing.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #12
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KATE LIMBACHER (Broadneck)
Athlete appears on the county scene this year as No. 6 state-ranked Broadneck's #2 runner. It wouldn't be unlikely to see her race especially well, racing behind 4 Severna Park girls that are not totally out of her reach.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #13
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CARLY HAMILL, Senior (Broadneck)
Two year All-County runner Carly Hamill has (along with teammate Woodward) more experience in county competition than all of her competitors.
COULD BE: #12 SHOULD BE: #14
Other Athletes to Watch: Jaci Gassaway (Severna Park); Martina Dodd (Meade); Laura Blevins (Chesapeake); Jessica Lang (Broadneck); Alyssa Haglund (Broadneck); Kayla Ohlson (Old Mill); Kathryn Howser (Annapolis); Katie Hallberg (Broadneck); Erica Juras (Annapolis); Jasmine Martin (Meade); Laine Converso (Old Mill); Casey O'Brien (Annapolis)
Teams
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SEVERNA PARK
The 50 runners+ team is by far the deepest in the state yet again this year. The only way this team will be prevented from taking their 23rd county title is if they don't get 5 runners across the line.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #1
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BROADNECK
The team has improved from last year. While they won't be able to catch Severna Park, this team's consistent strength in county finals will help them to stay comfortably ahead of South River.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #2
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SOUTH RIVER
It is a unique team that has three first team all-county runners yet doesn't finish in the top two. That's South River - cursed with a 1 - 5 gap of almost 4 minutes. Those #4 and #5 runners will have to step up with the rest of the county Friday to allow their team to take third.
COULD BE: #3 SHOULD BE: #3
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ANNAPOLIS
COULD BE: #3 SHOULD BE: #4
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CHESAPEAKE
COULD BE: #5 SHOULD BE: #5
Boys
Individuals
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MATTHEW CENTROWITZ, Senior (Broadneck)
Two years ago the state's top runner prevented Annapolis' Will Eden from becoming the county's first three-year titlist, in hopes of earning such an honor himself. Friday's the day.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #1
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CHRIS MOODY, Senior (South River)
Moody has had an average season, suffering several close losses, but still clocking good times. Being a strong athlete, there is no reason he shouldn't outrun the rest of the county as he has done all season.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #2
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MALIK ZAFAR, Senior (Meade)
We have seen very little of the 3200m county champ from last spring, but he has not approached Moody in either races they both competed in during the regular season. The strategic runner could very well pull an upset, but it would take one amazing race on his part.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #3
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JEREMY BUYER, Junior (Broadneck)
The junior has had a successful season, picking up in some ways where Matt Llano left off. Buyer was required to lead Broadneck at several races this year due to the absences of Centrowitz.
COULD BE: #4 SHOULD BE: #4
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JOHN BRUNGOT, Junior (South River)
Brungot has had a phenomenal season, improving throughout to establish himself as a top runner in the county. He has been approaching Buyer all season, could be a threat.
COULD BE: #4 SHOULD BE: #5
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JERRY HAZLETON, Senior (Broadneck)
A few quirks in his season, but overall has what it takes to finish first team all-county. Hopefully will be able to use his experience in running to push past Smooth one more time.
COULD BE: #6 SHOULD BE: #6
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CHRISTIAN SMOOTH, Sophomore (Annapolis)
County's leading underclassman has a whole bunch of runners right on his tail, and will need to be at his best to secure first team.
COULD BE: #6 SHOULD BE: #7
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RICO BORRERO, Junior (Northeast)
Borrero has had a consistent season, opposite of teammate Nick Weddle who has beaten Borrero by considerable amounts, but also lost to him by more than one minute. Weddle's race on Friday could very well effect Borrero's. Borrero will be right at Smooth's level at the starting line Friday, the race will determine who wants that first team spot more.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #8
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JP REDDINGER, Junior (Severna Park)
A member of Severna Park's C Squad last fall, Reddinger has been on a steep incline all season, recently emerging as his team's number one runner at Meade Autumn Classic, where he finished under 17:00. Every race he has run this season has been unprecedented, evidence that he could be an upset to Smooth and Borrero on Friday.
COULD BE: #6 SHOULD BE: #9
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JOSH DAY (Meade)
Athlete came within two seconds of both Hazleton and Smooth at Meade Autumn Classic.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #10
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NICK WEDDLE, Junior (Northeast)
Weddle has had basically one good performance this year - a race when he defeated Smooth by two seconds on his own course. His success or lack thereof on Friday is totally unpredictable, we only know what he is capable of.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #11
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MATT GELETY, Senior (Chesapeake)
Just seconds behind the above six athletes.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #12
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TOM DEVLIN, Senior (Chesapeake)
Athelete will less experience as a top performer than Gelety, has been back and forth with him all season.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #13
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PATRICK STEPHENS, Junior (Severna Park)
Dedicated runner has struggled as the season has progressed, but may be able to surprise on Friday as a result of the extensive preparation he is executing for the race.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #14
Other Athletes to Watch: Danny Siebenhaar (North County); Nic Walsh (South River); Michael Doyle (South River); Andrew Stressing (South River); Kolten Koelzer (Broadneck); Mikey Bollino (Severna Park); Spencer Robinson (Broadneck); Joe Rosenthal (Northeast); Dan Cimiluca (Broadneck); Ben Mallare (Severna Park); Christian Zinck (Severna Park); Stephen Guth (Annapolis); Josiah Nash (Broadneck)
Teams
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BROADNECK
It's been a very rough season for the 2004 and 2005 4A State champions. They have been uncomfortably close to South River this season, even losing to them at one invitational (only possible due to the absence of Centrowitz). The Broadneck boys traditionally come through with flying colors at the premiere of their championship season, however, which should give them this race for at least one more year.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #1
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SOUTH RIVER
This team is the deepest it's been in years, but they have not matched Broadneck's improvement as the season has progressed. A combination of bad racing (or injured athletes) on Broadneck's part and amazing racing from South River could allow the team to cause a huge upset, although I wouldn't bet on this happening.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #2
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SEVERNA PARK
The Severna Park boys team, under new coaching this season, is greatly improved from last season. Despite an injury-plagued season, the tight varsity consisting almost entirely of non-seniors will likely be better prepared for the county meet than many of the other schools in the county, including South River.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #3
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CHESAPEAKE
COULD BE: #3 SHOULD BE: #4
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MEADE
COULD BE: #3 SHOULD BE: #5
Anne Arundel County is home to two of the top schools in the state for the past few years - Broadneck and Severna Park. The outputs from these two schools are enough to give Anne Arundel some power in the state, but add in the occasional stars from schools like South River, Meade and Arundel, the county championships are traditionally intense races, and always unpredictable. Three years ago the Broadneck and Severna Park girls teams both earned 33 points, with Severna Park edging a win because of their #6 runner. Two years ago Matthew Centrowitz (Broadneck) upset two-year county champion Will Eden (Annapolis) by 3 seconds, while sophomore Tait Woodward (Broadneck) surprised everyone by beating Marissa McPhail (Arundel) and then-freshman Liya Kasimova (Severna Park). Last year the Severna Park girls team ran for the lowest team average ever in the county at 26 points.
This year's county teams are closer together this year on the boys side as South River and Severna Park caught up to Broadneck. On the girls side South River has three girls to break up the powerhouse that is the No. 2 Severna Park girls.
The County Championship is this Friday at Arundel High School.
Girls
Individuals
_____________________________________
KELSEY HILL, Sophomore (Severna Park)
The phenom returns on Friday after a two-meet injury related hiatus, ready to grab her second county title.
COULD BE: #1 SHOULD BE: #1
_____________________________________
LIYA KASIMOVA, Junior (Severna Park)
Possibly one of the most impressive athletes in the county, Kasimova is a veteran of 3rd place in these championships from the last two years. She is second only to Hill this year, at least in terms of talent. She has struggled with the strength of the South River duo, but is not likely to allow them to pass her again.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #2
_____________________________________
MARY FROMME, Sophomore (South River)
The athlete has reached new heights this season, thanks greatly to her new teammate Hillary Lee. Their defeat of Kasimova in the last 50 meters at Meade Autumn Classic is tribute to their toughness and ability to work well together.
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #3
_____________________________________
HILLARY LEE, Freshman (South River)
The fastest freshman in the state has played see-saw with Fromme all season. Although it's Lee's turn to come out on top, the more experienced Fromme may be able to break the pattern. Untill Friday...
COULD BE: #2 SHOULD BE: #4
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TAIT WOODWARD, Senior (Broadneck)
The 2004 county champion has a somewhat effective pattern of coming into her own at the conclusion of the season. Neither her county win as a sophomore nor her 5th place finish in the 4A State Finals last year were at all expected. It's fair to say that she will probably have a break-out performance before the season ends, but it is impossible to determine when it will be.
COULD BE: ?? SHOULD BE: #5
_____________________________________
MIRANDA HEATER, Sophomore (South River)
The sophomore is one of the best #3 runners in the state, a factor that has worked to her advantage in most races this season. The two freshman behind have been approaching her all season - she will need power to maintain her lead on them Friday.
COULD BE: #5 SHOULD BE: #6
_____________________________________
JASMINE SAVAGE, Freshman (Meade)
Meade's new star has improved all year, and although she is ranked behind Severna Park's Dempsey, she is in the perfect position to steal the last all-county spot for herself.
COULD BE: #6 SHOULD BE: #7
_____________________________________
SADIE DEMPSEY, Freshman (Severna Park)
The dedicated runner has had a surprisingly consistent season for a freshman, but she will need to pull out something amazing to secure her first team all-county spot.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #8
_____________________________________
KELSEY KENEALY, Sophomore (Severna Park)
Kenealy launched onto the county scene last spring with her fourth place finish in the 1600m at the county final. She has worked with Dempsey all season as a crucial member of Severna Park's varsity squad.
COULD BE: #9 SHOULD BE: #9
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CAMILLA HENRICKSEN (Annapolis)
This runner came out of virtually nowhere to break 20:00 at Meade Autumn Classic, and should not be underestimated for these championships.
COULD BE: #8 SHOULD BE: #10
_____________________________________
HANNAH CARR, Sophomore (Severna Park)
All-County returnee has come a long way this season regaining the speed she had last fall. With a great race she could do amazing things, including making first team all county.
COULD BE: #7 SHOULD BE: #11
_____________________________________
KATHLEEN BARRANCO, Sophomore (Severna Park)
Sophomore has improved all season just like Carr, although she is a bit more consistent in her racing.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #12
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KATE LIMBACHER (Broadneck)
Athlete appears on the county scene this year as No. 6 state-ranked Broadneck's #2 runner. It wouldn't be unlikely to see her race especially well, racing behind 4 Severna Park girls that are not totally out of her reach.
COULD BE: #10 SHOULD BE: #13
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CARLY HAMILL, Senior (Broadneck)
Two year All-County runner Carly Hamill has (along with teammate Woodward) more experience in county competition than all of her competitors.
COULD BE: #12 SHOULD BE: #14